Icing on Nayar's Ranji season

A successful run in the Ranji Trophy with an all-round performance had raised hopes that Abhishek Nayar will be one of the high earners in the Indian Premier League auction on Sunday.

And the Mumbai all-rounder was not left disappointed as he emerged the most valuable Indian player with a bid of $675,000 from Pune Warriors India.

With a successful Ranji season behind him, where the left-handed batsman scored 966 runs at an average of 99.60 and took 19 wickets bowling right-arm seam, the expectations were high. For Nayar though it was a relief to be picked.

"When I heard about the bid, I was relieved more than happy," he said. "I did not have the best of seasons last time around and wanted a chance to play in the league and do well for the team I play for," he added.

The all-rounder, who scored only 45 runs in the entire IPL 5, however has had a phenomenal Ranji season, where he smashed three hundreds and eight half centuries, helping Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy victory.

"It has been a good Ranji season for me, where everything fell in place, with the bat and ball. I am just happy to be in a position to play in the IPL," he said.

Nayar, who played for Kings XI Punjab last season, however does not mind the transition and says its part of an IPL player's life.

"It's such big event and a chance to play in it is good enough. If you're in the IPL for some time such things become a normal happening," Nayar said.

Asked whether he would have been happier if his home team Mumbai Indians had picked him, Nayar said: "Such things are not in my hands."